UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

Seals of WRU, Case, CWRU

Definition of "seal": an emblem, symbol, or word
used to certify a signature or authenticate a document from
an institution.

Western Reserve College/Western Reserve University

1826-1827

Development

On March 2, 1826, the Western Reserve College trustees approved
the design of a seal for the new school. Until that seal
could be manufactured and delivered, the trustees, on March
3, 1826, adopted the crown and pillar side of a Spanish
dollar as a temporary seal. This temporary seal was needed
to approve the first official document of WRC, a contract
between the new college and Colonel Lemuel Porter to construct
the first campus building, Middle College, in Hudson.

1827-1882

Symbolism

This seal features a heart with an open book on it, with
the Hebrew character "aleph," and the Greek character
"omega," representing the Hebrew and Greek origins
of Western thought. The date "A. D. 1826" refers to the
year that WRC was established. The motto "Christo et
Ecclesiae" is Latin for "For Christ and the Church."

Development

On March 2, 1826, the WRC trustees approved the design of
the new seal. It was reported at the WRC trustee meeting
on August 27, 1827 that the new seal had arrived and was
then to be the seal of the school.

1882-1885

Symbolism

This seal was adapted from the WRC seal, 1827-1882. In the
band, the text "Adelbert College of Western Reserve University"
replaces "Western Reserve College."

Development

In fall 1882, WRC moved to Cleveland from Hudson and was renamed
"Adelbert College of Western Reserve University."
The seal was modified to reflect the change in the name
of the institution.

1885-1932

Symbolism

This two inch seal resembles the seal of the State of Ohio
in its use of the rising sun. "Lux" is Latin for "light."

Development

The Medical Department, which had been part of WRC, refused
to adopt the new name "Adelbert College of Western Reserve
University." In response, Western Reserve University was
incorporated in April 1884, and the Medical Department became
part of it. Because Adelbert College of Western Reserve
University and WRU were not part of the same corporation
until 1941, a new seal had to be designed for WRU. At the
January 7, 1885 Medical Department faculty meeting, a committee
was appointed "to confer with the president and secretary
of the [WRU] Board of Trustees as to the proper design of
a seal and wording of the diploma and also to arrange to
procure them." One month later, diplomas awarded by the
Medical Department to the class of 1885 bore the new seal.

1932-1967

Symbolism

This seal is similar to the WRU seal, 1885-1932, except
for some minor changes. The word "Cleveland" is
added to the text in the outside band. Also, an inner band
now surrounds the rays of the rising sun. The date "1826,"
which refers to the date of establishment of WRC, replaces
the star.

Development

At their meeting on April 27, 1932, the WRU trustees' Executive
Committee approved the changes to the seal.

Case School of Applied Science / Case Institute of Technology

1882-1925

Symbolism

Like the WRU seal created in the same decade, this seal
features a rising sun similar to the one found on the seal
of the State of Ohio. "1880" is the year that
the Case School of Applied Science was established, and
"Cleveland, O." was the schools location.

Development

The Case trustees approved the seal at their November 7, 1882
meeting.

1925-1947

Symbolism

Similar to the previous seal, the word "The" appears
before "Case School of Applied Science."

Development

The Case corporation approved the changes at its October
22, 1925 meeting, and formally set the size of the seal
at 2 1/4 inches. On October 19, 1932, the Case corporation
approved the seal size to be reduced to 1 3/4 inches.

1947-1967

Symbolism

In the band, "Case Institute of Technology" replaces
"The Case School of Applied Science."

Development

Due to the change of the schools name, the Case corporation
approved the modified seal on July 25, 1947.

Usage

The seal was to be embossed on all diplomas, honorary degrees,
identification cards, and official publications.

Case Western Reserve University

1967-2004+

Symbolism

This seal combines elements of the Case and WRU seals, in
particular the rising sun.

Development

Case Western Reserve University was established on July
1, 1967, through the federation of WRU and Case. WRU president
John S. Millis formed an advisory ad hoc committee to design
a seal for the new University. Members included trustees,
faculty, staff, and William Ward from the Cleveland Museum
of Art. Millis presented the seal to the trustees of CWRU,
who approved it at their first meeting on July 5, 1967.

Usage

In 1991, it was decided that use of the seal should be limited
to formal and ceremonial functions. Because it was difficult
to read, it would no longer appear on university stationery,
publications, or advertisements.

Information was compiled by staff of the Case Western Reserve University Archives, November 2004.